Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Melbourne Vixens captain Kate Moloney is confident a controversial rebrand can breathe new life into a struggling Sydney franchise.
Super Netball has been embroiled in a naming snafu after the Giants rebadged themselves as the Sirens for the 2027 season, following an ownership change.
Under the new management of Craig Hutchison’s Sports Entertainment Network, the club launched an application in early August to trademark the moniker, which refers to the mythological creatures from Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey.
A counter application was filed by the NSW Ice Hockey Association, with the Sydney Sirens featuring in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League for two decades.
SEN already owns Super Netball’s Melbourne Mavericks, along with Bendigo Spirit and Perth Lynx in the WNBL.
Moloney said she hadn’t been keeping up with the looming legal stoush but believed it was the right time for a refresh after the Sydney side’s one-win season in 2026.
“I guess the Giants as a club have probably had a few tough years and now to be able to rebrand and to now be the Sirens, it’s exciting for our competition,” the Diamonds vice-captain told AAP.
“They’ve (SEN) done an incredible job with the Melbourne Mavericks. They’ve gotten better each year.
“People that are investing in netball is really exciting for us, and hopefully we can have more and more people that want to invest in our sport.”
Super Netball kicked a potential pay war with players down the road with a 12-month bridging agreement for the 2027 season, when the Nine Network will broadcast matches under a new five-year deal.
Despite putting plans to expand the competition on hold until at least 2028, midcourter Moloney was relieved to lock away the short-term deal away and give players contract certainty.
“Obviously, it took a little bit longer than we would have liked,” she said.
“But you know we’re in a fortunate position to be playing netball in the best league in the world, and to have so many players who want to come and play here.
“Hopefully we’re not in this position again in 12 months’ time.”
The ANZ Premiership remains in limbo, with reports the New Zealand competition is struggling to find a broadcaster for 2027.
Claire O’Brien (Sydney Sirens), Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (Melbourne Vixens), Amelia Walmsley (Melbourne Vixens), Carys Stythe (Melbourne Vixens), Kimiora Poi (Queensland Firebirds), Georgia Heffernan (Sunshine Coast Lightning) and Ameliaranne Ekenasio (West Coast Fever) have all been signed from across the ditch.
New Zealand’s star sharpshooter Grace Nweke has also moved from the NSW Swifts to the Sirens after starting the Kiwi influx ahead of Super Netball’s 2025 season.
